KUCHING, March 19: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing wants Bintulu residents to stop defying the Restricted Movement Order immediately to stop the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
He also advised people to be patient and cooperate fully with the authorities during the 14-day period.
“On Day 1 of the Restricted Movement Order in Sarawak, particularly in Bintulu, many people continued to defy the order to eat-in at coffeeshops. The Covid-19 pandemic that had already claimed two lives in Malaysia does not seem to faze them.
“Such selfish and uncooperative behaviour will make the two-week self-isolation order pointless and increase the entire community’s risk of infection. If the situation gets further out of control, everyone will suffer,” Tiong emphasised in a statement here today.
He likened the government and the people to crew on the same vessel.
“Only by working together can the ship move in the right direction and weather the storm safely. Our destination must be to defeat this deadly pandemic together and without further loss of life. We won’t succeed without working together.
“In this matter, I urge organisations and associations in all sectors, particularly the Bintulu Coffee Shop Merchants And Restaurants Association to cooperate by providing clarification and education to their members on the Movement Control Order’s purpose in controlling the pandemic,” he added.
Tiong reiterated that all the food operators need to do was to persuade patrons vising their eateries to choose the takeaway option.
“The fact is that the government has remained business friendly by not preventing them from doing business and the order for restricted movement is to lessen crowding and thus reduce risk of spreading the coronavirus. In order to continue catering to the daily needs of the people, supermarkets and convenience stores that sell foodstuff are still allowed to operate. Even coffee shops, but only for takeaways or deliveries,” he observed.
Tiong who is also Bintulu MP also reminded the relevant government agencies to be impartial to all ethnic and racial groups during the order’s period of effect.
“When instructing the public to abide by this order, it is important to take care not to utter racially charged phrases or words to avoid misunderstandings,” he added.
According to Tiong, the current Covid-19 patients in Sarawak are from four separate sources of infections, and the number of confirmed patients is increasing daily.
“It is becoming more difficult now to detect and test those infected but without visible symptoms. The public must remember this and think twice before heading out, in order to protect everyone’s health. Everyone must reduce their outings and cooperate fully with the Restricted Movement Order.
“Bintulu, Sibu, and all Sarawakians, let’s give the government the cooperation it needs to stem the spread of Covid-19. It has already hit all walks of life and hampered the economy. It will take unity and cooperation from all of us to stop the pandemic and get back to our lives,” added Tiong.
Meanwhile, Tiong also advised people to buy essential items such as face masks and sanitizers online. — DayakDaily
